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Cass Clover

Dear 4-H Families and Friends,

I hope this newsletter finds you all well. This has been a very confusing and stressful time as

we are all trying to settle in to a new routine. Although we may not be physically operating in our

office, we are still here for you! We are monitoring our phones and emails daily to serve each and

every one of you. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

I’m sure some are thinking “4-H has been cancelled for the year”, but that is simply not true! It

is true that this will not be a typical 4-H summer but I hope we can still make it fun and enjoyable!

I am working on some VERY exciting things for our county so be sure to read the Clover and watch

our Facebook for these amazing opportunities!

To the youth, I encourage each of you to take this time to slow down and enjoy some time

outside as our weather becomes warmer… just don’t forget about your schoolwork! I also challenge

each of you to try something new and develop a new skill. Maybe it’s a sport you’ve always wanted

to try, a new tik toc challenge, or a new project!

Sincerely,

Hailey Harman

4-H Program Coordinator, Cass County

Contact Us

Hailey Harman 4-H Program Coordinator 120 N Broadway Suite 116 Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: 269-445-4438 Fax: 269-445-4418 Email harmanha@msu.edu Web Site www.canr.msu.edu/Cass/4-h Newsletter Web Site www.canr.msu.edu/Cass/4-h/newsletters

2019-2020 4-H Online Enrollment and Participation Fees

Our new 4-H year began on September 1, 2019. All 4-H members and leaders are

strongly encouraged to enroll online. If you have forgotten your 4-H online login

information, please do not make a new profile. Instead, contact our office and we

can reset your password for you. To register for 2019-2020 go to

www.mi.4honline.com

Since we are not currently open to the public, we have removed the deadline for

participation fees until we have more information on when we will re-opened. We are

also unable to process credit card payments at this time. To pay participation fees,

you can mail checks to our office or drop off cash or a check in the drop box located

outside of the doors at the Old Courthouse. We ask that you include the name of the

children inside of the envelope.

May/June 2020

2

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4-H Mini-Grants

Now Available!

Each year, the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees approves grant opportunities for 4-H

programs across the state.

These grants are designed to encourage program planning and participation by 4-H members and volunteers in partnership with MSU Extension 4-H program staff. The grants will be eligible for use in the

2020-2021 program year.

Several grant opportunities exist, ranging in value from $400-1,000. Applications are due June 1. To learn more information about the grants visit https://

mi4hfdtn.org/grants/.

May 13 Teen Leader Meeting, Zoom, 6:30 p.m. Link on Page 4 20 Horse Leaders’ Association Meeting, Zoom, 7:00 p.m. Link on Page 4 21 Cloverbud 4-H To You!— SLIME!, Zoom, 2:00 p.m. 23 Teen Leader Skate-In CANCELLED 27 YQCA CANCELLED 28 4-H To You! Project— Clover String Art, Zoom, 2:00 p.m. 28 Leaders’ Association Meeting, Zoom, 7:00 p.m. Link on Page 4 30 Leaders’ Association Auction CANCELLED 30 Reining Clinic CANCELLED

June 4 Cloverbud 4-H To You!— Paint Your Own Clover!, Zoom, 2:00 p.m. 4 YQCA CANCELLED 10 Teen Leader Meeting, Zoom, 6:30 p.m. Link on Page 4 11 4-H To You!— Spa Products DIY At Home!, Zoom, 2:00 p.m. 13 Reining Clinic CANCELLED 17 Horse Leaders’ Association Meeting, Zoom, 7:00 p.m. 17-18 Showing Livestock Program CANCELLED 18 Cloverbud 4-H To You!— Beeswax Candles!, Zoom, 2:00 p.m. 19 YQCA CANCELLED 25 4-H To You!— Tie Dye Shirt Party, Zoom, 2:00 p.m. 25 Leaders’ Association Meeting, Zoom, 7:00 p.m. 30 High School Senior Spotlight Due

For the most up-to-date event listings, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events

4-H State Events and Workshops

May 4: Tik Tok Dances with H&H, Zoom

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/tik-tok-dances-with-h-h-may-4

Adulting 101 Series– May 7—Spending Plan May 28—Cooking 101, Zoom

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting-101-mayseries-spendingplan

May 7 & 14: Ocean Explorers with Madison, Zoom

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/ocean-explorers-with-madison-may-7

May 12: MSU Extension’s Family Yoga with Kylie, Zoom

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/msu-extensions-family-yoga-with-kylie-may-12

4-H Leaders’ Association Auction– CANCELLED

The Cass County Leaders' Association Auction has been cancelled to protect our youth,

Leaders, and generous supporters. We do intend to have the Nelson’s Chicken Dinner

Fundraiser in the Fall and all tickets will be honored. However, we are offering refunds to

anyone who would like a refund for the tickets that they purchased. To obtain a refund,

please email Hailey at harmanha@msu.edu for the refund form and we will mail you a

check for your tickets. We appreciate all of the support from the clubs, donors, and buyers

and hope to have a great auction next March!

Clubs who have created baskets or collected donations can contact Hailey for storage of

the items until next March!

3 STATEWIDE NEWS AREA

Help Fight COVID-19 with the Michigan 4-H Mask Project

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Michigan 4-H community has stepped up to help. CDC guidelines encourage the use of cloth face coverings to protect against disease spread; 4-H families across the state have sewn homemade cloth face coverings to protect the public, essential workers, and healthcare workers. By mid-April, more than 2,400 cloth face coverings had been donated to

over 25 organizations. These cloth face coverings were created in 32 counties by more than 40 4-H youth and adult volunteers.

Though an amazing feat, the need is still great. Fortunately, the Michigan 4-H community is as great as the need; by working together, we can help to address this need and more.

The newly launched Michigan 4-H Mask Project website (extension.msu.edu/MI4HMasks) has instructions for making and donating to these efforts, using basic sewing skills and a few simple supplies. Join in making a difference in the fight against COVID-19.

Questions about this project? Contact MSU Extension Staff: Anne Kretschmann at kretsc11@msu.edu or Gary Williams at will1009@msu.edu.

Update on Face-to-Face 4-H Programming

On April 2, 2020, MSU made the decision to modify or suspend youth events scheduled to take place this summer on MSU’s campus. This, combined with Gov. Whitmer’s announcement that in-person K-12 instruction is suspended for the remainder of the academic year, has informed changes to MSU Extension’s youth programming. These changes include:

All on-campus MSU youth events scheduled to occur before September 1, 2020 will be modified to an online space, postponed or cancelled.

No face-to-face MSU Extension youth events or programs will take place anywhere in the state, including summer camps, until September 1, 2020. This applies to events and activities scheduled through September 1 that are led by Michigan 4-H volunteers as well.

Given the fluid nature of this situation, it may be a few weeks before decisions are reached about which programs will become virtual versus which will be postponed or canceled; information will be shared as soon as it is available. Regardless, all program participants will receive a full refund for any out-of-pocket event fees already paid for affected programs. Staff will be in contact regarding this matter in the coming weeks; we appreciate your patience with this process. This decision has implications on 4-H classes and activities at county fairs. MSU Extension is working with the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, as well as local fair boards, to pursue new delivery methods for these 4-H events. Please watch for more information in the coming weeks. Youth safety and security are a guiding principle of Michigan 4-H; this decision is a reflection of that and our ongoing commitment to helping Michigan youth be physically and emotionally safe. Although the right thing to do for the health and wellbeing of MSU Extension staff, volunteers, program participants and all Michiganders, this is still a heartbreaking decision for us. Now more than ever, MSU Extension remains committed to delivering meaningful experiences to youth and volunteers through a variety of supplemental offerings that support the educational development of Michigan youth. We will continue to update our Remote Learning and Resources space (extension.msu.edu/Online4MI) with online programs, so be sure to visit the site frequently.

Managing Youth Stress

The novel coronavirus pandemic has been stressful for everyone. Families and youth are navigating new challenges, including social distancing, uncertain health outcomes and “a new normal.” These new stressors may spill over into their relationships and compound other stressful conditions in

the family.

To help families better understand this stress and how to cope, MSU Extension has developed a new resource, “Managing

Youth Stress.”

To access the resource, visit www.canr.msu.edu/resources/managing-

youth-stress.

4

4-H Leaders’ Association

Are you looking to help the county 4-H program? The 4-H Leaders’ Association is the place for you! Come to our meetings on Thursday, May 28th and June 25th via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. to see what we are all about! https://msu.zoom.us/j/92911449224 +1 312 626 6799 ID:929 1144 9224 Password: Cass

Horse Leaders’ Association

Our Cass County 4-H Horse Leaders’ Association works to provide educational opportunities for youth in the horse project area. If you would like to be involved, please consider coming to the Horse Leaders’ meeting on Wednesday, May 20th and June 17th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. https://msu.zoom.us/j/92294069396 +1 312 626 6799 ID:922 9406 9396 Password: Cass

Cass County 4-H News

Class of 2020 Senior Spotlight

Calling all Class of 2020 Seniors! We want to recognize YOU! Through the months of May

and June we will give each of our Seniors a shout out on our Facebook because we are

proud of you and all your accomplishments! In the past, we have used a Senior Recognition

form to collect this data. New this year.. We are trying a Google Form for you to submit your

responses and an image for us to feature you on our Facebook by June 30th! https://

forms.gle/vn69UUj8uCE3rs6g7

4-H To You!

You asked and I responded! During our Southwest Listening Session we had an

overwhelming amount of requests for learning/project kits. We later found that this request

was echoed state-wide. It isn't too shocking considering 4-H is a hands-on, experimental

program! It’s literally in our mission!

With that said, I am SO excited to launch this program for both Cloverbuds and 4-H youth.

Below is a schedule of the project kits that will be available to youth. The best part? It will

be shipped directly to your doorstep! Everything you will need in a project kit addressed

directly to you and someone to walk through how to do it via Zoom. The goal of this pro-

gram is to engage youth allowing them to work on individual projects, collaboratively, all

while learning unmeasurable life skills.

Cloverbud 4-H To You!

May 21– SLIME!, events.anr.msu.edu/CCSlime

June 4– Paint your own Clover, events.anr.msu.edu/CCPaint

June 18– Candle Making with Beeswax, events.msu.edu/CCCandle

4-H To You! (Ages 8-19)

May 28– Clover String Art , events.anr.msu.edu/CCStringart

June 11– Make Your Own Spa Products, events.anr.msu.edu/CCSpa

June 25-Tie Dye Shirt Party, events.anr.msu.edu/CCTieDye

Registration will close one week prior to every project to allow for shipping time. There will

be a follow-up Zoom for some projects for you to show off your creation and see what

others made! These opportunities are FREE to 4-H youth and $10 per project for non 4-H

youth. Spaces are limited so sign up TODAY!

Horse Leaders’ Scholarships

The Cass County 4-H Horse Leaders’ Association annual scholarship applications are

available and will be due July 2nd by 5:00 pm to the Cass County Extension office or email.

ES Scholarship- $750

Bea Porath Memorial Scholarship- $500

Horse Leaders’ Association Scholarship- $250 & $150

To receive the applications please email harmanha@msu.edu or visit out website https://

www.canr.msu.edu/cass/4-h/index.

5 Horse Honoree Trophy Applications

Horse Honoree Trophy Applications are available and will be due July 2nd. The five trophy

areas are Western, English, Pony, Gymkhana, and Ranch. Points can be acquired from the

Equine Test and the county fair since the Horse Show has been cancelled. Points will be

tallied and recorded by the Cass County Horse Leaders'. If you wish to compete for any of

these trophies, please request a form by emailing harmanha@msu.edu or go to our website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/cass/4-h/index. There is an individual form for each trophy.

These trophies will be handed out at the annual 4-H Awards Banquet in November. The

forms are due July 2nd by 5:00 p.m. in the MSU Extension office or via email.

More Cass County 4-H News

Leader Enrollment

If you have not re-enrolled in 4-H Online for the 2019-2020 4-H year please do so as soon

as possible. The deadline to complete this information is July 9, 2020 to receive your $5.00

volunteer pass. Enrollments submitted after the 9th will still be accepted but will not be

eligible for their volunteer pass. Please contact our office if you have any questions.

4-H Equine Test

The Equine test will be moved to an online format. We are exploring different platforms to

administer the test but the test is expected to be available for completion in June.

The test will cover the following areas:

Ages 8-10: Color and Color Markings, Colic, Anatomy, and Parts of the Saddle

Ages 11-13: Show Ring, Health and Sanitation, Anatomy, and Parts of the Saddle

Ages 14-16: Behavior and Nature, Grooming, Anatomy, and Parts of the Saddle

Ages 17-19: Horse Judging, Principles of Reproduction, Anatomy, and Parts of the

Saddle

4-H Teen Leaders’ Association

Our Cass County 4-H Teen Leaders’ Association works to provide educational (and fun) opportunities for youth in Cass County 4-H. All youth 13+ are encouraged to attend! If you would like to be involved, please consider coming to the Teen Leader meetings on Wednesday, May 13th and June 10th at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. https://msu.zoom.us/j/92261798949 +1 312 626 6799 ID:922 6179 8949 Password: Cass Teen Leader Livestock Learning Series

The Teen Leaders’ Association is working diligently to provide an educational Livestock

Learning Series to the youth off Cass County.

Week 1: General Care and Grooming

Week 2: Common Diseases and Treatments

Week 3: Show Equipment

Week 4: Training

Week 5: Showmanship

Week 6: Show Day Prep

We hope to have almost every species represented! The program will be delivered with

videos and summary sheets and is expected to launch in June! More information and

registration links to follow on our County Facebook!